My Windows 8.1 is stuck in an automatic repair loop, how can I fix this?

Anonymous
2014-01-02T16:49:35+00:00

my laptop will not boot at all, when I turn it on the screen shows 'preparing automatic repair' then 'diagnosing your PC'. After this, the screen shows 'your PC did not start correctly' and it doesn't work when I restart it so I selected advanced options. After this, if I click continue the repair screen appears again and I am redirected back to the same page. I can't access my desktop at all and an administrator hasn't been set on my laptop, so after clicking troubleshoot I can't refresh or reset my PC.After this I clicked on advanced settings and I cannot choose system restore, command prompt, system image recovery or startup repair because they either don't work or need an administrator and I haven't set one as I mentioned before. My last resort was startup settings which requires restarting the PC. 9 options are to choose from and I tried almost all and it won't boot up in safe mode. Help!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2014-04-02T19:25:00+00:00

I've inserted the System Recovery disc 1 that came with the computer. No change.

Usually that means that that device is not higher than the hard drive in the boot device order.  You would probably need to get into your BIOS screen to change that.  See your User Guide or contact HP for more information.  Post your product id (e.g. what details you need to use HP's site to find your particular documentation and downloads but not your serial number) if you need someone to help interpret your user documentation.  In W7 HP had a nice tool that gave me those details.  I never found anything analogous from W8, except in bits and pieces.

HTH

Robert Aldwinckle


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  1. Anonymous
    2015-10-23T23:41:02+00:00

    I do not mind re-installing Windows...I am highly concerned however with losing my saved files, pictures, etc. Can someone help me with this?

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-10-22T02:34:33+00:00

    I too am having the same problem with automatic repair and dianogostic screen. I inserted the recovery disc 1 & nothing changed.  I don't want to lose all of my files after going back to factory setings and fixing the problem , my question is also , Can I run a second windows (7 for example) and use it to acces my hard drive and save my files on an external memory ?

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-10-21T15:21:04+00:00

    Same problem here

    My laptop stuck in Preparing Automatic Update loop

    It won't allow me to select advance option which will appear when you press F8 key

    So I can not restore my system from previous restore point

    I can only access BIOS settings

    Please help to solve this problem

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-10-12T05:52:35+00:00

    I only get the first screen saying preparing automatic repair then it switches off help

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